SriLankan step forward with SkyChain

SRILANKAN Airlines has signed up for SkyChain, the end-to-end cargo reservation and business management solution offered by Mercator, the Dubai-based business technology provider, which is part of the Emirates Group.

Patrick Naef, head of Mercator, said: “The timing of this partnership is significant – coming as it does when skyrocketing fuel prices are having a tremendous economic impact on the airline industry. This partnership clearly demonstrates that major players have confidence in our IT solutions to reduce costs and increase revenue.

“SkyChain has been built for the air cargo business of today and the changing dynamics of the foreseeable future. We are confident SkyChain will have a significant and positive impact on our customers’ financial bottom line and make waves in the air cargo industry.”

Mercator plans to complete implementation by the second quarter of 2009. The solution will be hosted out of Mercator’s data centres in Dubai and used by authorised SriLankan cargo users out of Colombo and other outstation cargo offices globally.

Johann Wijesinghe, head of worldwide cargo, SriLankan Airlines, said: “SriLankan Cargo is recognised today as one of the most energetic, technologically-advanced and cost efficient freight operators in South Asia. In our business, timing is everything. This is why we are working with Mercator, which has a proven track record for development, implementation and innovation, to fulfil an ever-increasing list of customer demands.

“SriLankan SkyChain, which is our fully automated cargo logistic management system, will provide an integrated network of information and support services enabling our customers, no matter where they are, to always have a world of cargo services literally at their fingertips.”